California Dinner Train Rides (2026): A Complete Guide
Last revised: September 21, 2026
By: Adam Burns
California’s seated-meal trains are three different nights out. The Napa Valley Wine Train serves a plated lunch or dinner in the car while the train runs the valley. River Fox in West Sacramento sells a brunch and a murder-mystery dinner on the train. Roaring Camp sells evening parties whose barbecue is at the Felton camp, with the Beach Train or the redwood steam train wrapped around the meal. Skunk Train scenery, museum rides, and wine-tasting specials are other tickets.
The Napa Valley Wine Train south of Yountville, California, on October 19, 2013. Drew Jacksich photo.
At a glance
| Host | Town | 2026 meal | Page |
|---|---|---|---|
| Napa Valley Wine Train | Napa | Plated gourmet lunch and dinner on the train. Lunch about 3 hours; dinner about 2.5 hours | Dining guide |
| River Fox Train | West Sacramento | Brunch on the train. Murder-mystery dinner on the train, 21+, about 2.5 hours | Dining guide |
| Roaring Camp Railroads | Felton / Santa Cruz | Barbecue at camp. Starlight dates have run. Moonlight still lists September 26 | Starlight and Moonlight |
Fares and calendars change. Book on the railroad. American-Rails.com does not sell tickets. Information compiled September 21, 2026.
Napa Valley Wine Train
(Napa): Boards at McKinstry Street Station, 1275 McKinstry Street. The Main Train runs vintage cars toward St. Helena and back. Gourmet Express is a three-course plate. Vista Dome dinner is four courses. Lunch runs daily in the published pattern; dinner is the weekend evening. Gourmet Express Lunch is the family-priced meal on the list, with children 12 and under at $109 on the posted lunch. Dome seats and the longer Legacy Experience cost more. Confirm the live package on winetrain.com.
2026: Year-round. The full classes, durations, and what is included are on the Napa dining guide. Murder Mystery Dinner is a separate evening with a show, booked on the railroad’s own site. The Santa Train is the Christmas product.
River Fox Train
(West Sacramento): Boards at 18095 County Road 117. About ten miles of former Sacramento Northern, along the river and Yolo farmland. The Brunch Train is the daytime seated meal, about 1.5 to 2 hours, buffet and bottomless mimosas. The Murder Mystery Train is the plated dinner, about 2.5 hours, dessert included, 21 and older.
2026: Year-round themed calendar. Mystery has been listed on the first Saturday of the month. Prices belong on riverfoxtrain.com. The show notes are the mystery page. Wine, beer, tea, and boba trains are tastings. The meal page is the River Fox dining guide.
Roaring Camp
(Felton and the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk): The Santa Cruz Starlight Evening Dinner Party rides the Beach Train up to Roaring Camp, eats barbecue there with a live band, and rides back to the Boardwalk after dark. The Moonlight Steam Train Dinner Party starts with barbecue at 5401 Graham Hill Road and then takes the narrow-gauge steam train up Bear Mountain. The plate is at camp.
2026: Starlight dates were June 13, July 11, August 22, and September 12. Moonlight dates were June 27, July 25, September 6, and September 26. As of this revision only September 26 is still ahead. Details are on the Starlight page. Daytime steam and beach rides are the scenic guide.
Related reading
Always verify 2026 dates, menus, and prices on the railroad’s official site. American-Rails.com does not sell tickets.
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